Inspection port

ABSTRACT

An inspection port is for use in connection with a panel having a mounting hole. A base ring has a circular wall with base inner and base outer surfaces. The base ring has a plurality of flexible annular ridges extending transversely outward. The annular ridges each have a diameter greater than the mounting hole diameter. 
     A cover has a circular wall with cover inner and outer surfaces. The cover outer surface is adapted for sliding engagement with the base inner surface. The cover has a plate extending transversely across the cover. An O-ring removably seals the cover to the base ring. The cover plate can be opaque, or transparent, and includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate. The cover can include a plurality of louvers in the plate. 
     To latch the cover, the base ring has four key slots 90 degrees apart on the base inner surface. The key slots are each L-shaped, with an axial leg and a transverse leg. The cover has four pins 90 degrees apart on the cover outer surface. When the cover is inserted into the base ring, the four pins will engage the four key slots. Rotating the cover removably latches the cover to the base ring. 
     To install the inspection port, the mounting hole is first cut in the panel with a standard size hole saw. A sealant compound is applied to the base ring, which is tapped into position with a mallet. The annular ridges will bend outward as they pass into the mounting hole. The outwardly bent ridges will prevent removal of the base ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of inspection portholes, and more particularly to a marine inspection port having a removable cover.

It is expedient to be able to inspect and easily access equipment on a boat. This equipment may be hidden from view behind a bulkhead, under a cabin sole, or inside an engine box. Valves, pumps, gages, and the like require access, yet must be covered in a water-resistant and attractive manner. In some cases, venting is required. In other cases, a transparent window is desirable. A quick and easy method of installation is also desirable.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide an inspection port that can be opened and closed quickly and easily.

There is a further need to provide an inspection port of the type described and that is sealed in a water-resistant or watertight manner.

There is a yet further need to provide an inspection port of the type described and that will provide ventilation where desired.

There is a still further need to provide an inspection port of the type described and that has a cover that is either opaque or transparent as required.

There is another need to provide an inspection port of the type described and that can be quickly and easily installed with a minimum of tools and skill.

There is yet another need to provide an inspection port of the type described and that can be manufactured cost-effectively in large quantities of high quality.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an inspection port constructed in accordance with the invention, and is for use in connection with a panel on a boat. The panel has a mounting hole. The inspection port comprises a base ring with a circular wall extending between first and second ends. The circular wall has base inner and base outer surfaces. The base outer surface has a diameter less than the mounting hole diameter. The base ring has a flange adjacent the second end and extending transversely outward from the base outer surface. The base ring has an O-ring groove adjacent the second end. The base ring has a plurality of flexible annular ridges extending transversely outward from the base outer surface. The annular ridges each have a diameter greater than the mounting hole diameter, and are adapted for engagement with the mounting hole.

A cover has a circular wall extending between first and second ends. The circular wall has a cover inner surface, and a cover outer surface. The cover outer surface is adapted for sliding engagement with the base inner surface. The cover has a plate at the second end extending transversely across the cover. An O-ring is provided to fit into the O-ring groove, and provides sealing means for removably sealing the cover to the base ring. The cover plate can be opaque, or transparent, and includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate. The cover can include a plurality of louvers in the plate.

To removably latch the cover, the base ring has four key slots approximately 90 degrees apart on the base inner surface. The key slots are each L-shaped with an axial leg of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg of the L extending in a transverse direction. The cover has four pins approximately 90 degrees apart on the cover outer surface. When the cover is inserted into the base ring, the four pins will engage the four key slots. The pins will pass through the axial legs. The cover is then rotated, and the pins will enter the transverse legs. At this point, the cover is removably latched to the base ring. The cover is removed by rotating the cover in the opposite direction and pulling the cover outward.

To install the inspection port, a mounting hole is first cut in the panel with a standard size hole saw. A sealant compound is applied to the base ring, which is tapped into position with a mallet. The annular ridges will bend outward as they pass into the mounting hole. The outwardly bent ridges will prevent removal of the base ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly perspective view of an inspection port constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing a louvered cover.

FIG. 2 is a contracted assembly perspective view of the inspection port of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a contracted assembly perspective view of another inspection port constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing a solid cover.

FIG. 3 a is a front elevational sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 3, taken along lines 3 a-3 a of FIG. 3, shown at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the louvered cover of the inspection port of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the louvered cover of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a right side sectional elevational view of the louvered cover of FIG. 4, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the louvered cover of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the solid cover of the inspection port of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the solid cover of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a right side sectional elevational view of the solid cover of FIG. 8, taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional elevational view of the solid cover of FIG. 8, taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the solid cover of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a base ring of the inspection port of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the base ring of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a right side sectional elevational view of the base ring of FIG. 13, taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the base ring of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a front elevational detail view of a key slot of the base ring of FIG. 13, taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 14, shown at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 18 is a front elevational sectional view of the base ring of FIG. 13, taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 14, shown at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 19 is an exploded assembly perspective view of another inspection port constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing a louvered cover.

FIG. 20 is a front elevational partial sectional view of the cover of FIG. 19, taken along lines 20-20 of FIG. 19, shown at an enlarged scale. And

FIG. 21 is a front elevational partial sectional view of the base ring of FIG. 19, taken along lines 21-21 of FIG. 19, shown at an enlarged scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIGS. 1-18 thereof, an inspection port constructed in accordance with the invention is shown at 20, and is for use in connection with a panel 22, such as a bulkhead or engine box or instrument panel on a boat. The panel 22 has a mounting hole 24 therethrough with a predetermined diameter. The inspection port 20 comprises a base ring 26 having a longitudinal axis 27. The base ring 26 has a circular wall 28 extending between first 30 and second 32 ends along the longitudinal axis 27. The circular wall 28 has base inner 34 and base outer 36 surfaces. The base outer surface 36 has a diameter less than the mounting hole 24 predetermined diameter. The base ring 26 has a flange 38 adjacent the second end 32 and extending transversely outward from the base outer surface 36. The base ring 26 has an O-ring groove 40 adjacent the second end 32. The base ring 26 has at least one, and preferably a plurality, of flexible annular ridges 42 extending transversely outward from the base outer surface 36. The annular ridges 42 each have a diameter greater than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, and are adapted for engagement with the mounting hole 24.

To install the inspection port 20, a mounting hole 24 is first cut in the panel 22 with a hole saw. The mounting hole predetermined diameter is a standard hole saw size. The circular wall base outer surface 36 fits into the mounting hole 24 with a small clearance. The annular ridges 42 are slightly larger in outside diameter than the mounting hole 24. A sealant compound is applied to the base ring 26. The base ring 26 is aligned with the mounting hole 24 and tapped into position with a mallet or hammer. The annular ridges 42 will bend or flex outward as they pass into the mounting hole 24. The outwardly bent ridges will prevent removal of the base ring 26. Thus, the inspection port 20 is quickly and easily installed in the panel 22 with simple tools by a semi-skilled person.

A cover 44 has a longitudinal axis 45 and a circular wall 46 extending between first 48 and second 50 ends along the longitudinal axis 45. The circular wall 46 has a cover inner surface 52, and a cover outer surface 54. The cover outer surface 54 is adapted for close sliding engagement with the base inner surface 34. The cover 44 has a plate 56 at the second end 50 extending transversely across the cover 44 and transversely outward beyond the cover outer surface 54 to form a cover flange 58. The cover flange 58 covers the O-ring groove 40 when the cover 44 is inserted into the base ring 26. An O-ring 60 is provided to fit into the O-ring groove 40, and provides sealing means for removably sealing the cover 44 to the base ring 26. The cover plate 56 can be opaque, or transparent so as to allow visual inspection through the inspection port without opening the cover. The cover plate 56 includes at least one, and preferably two finger recesses 57 for rotating the plate 56. As an alternative, the cover 44 can include a plurality of louvers 62 penetrating the plate 56 so as to provide ventilation through the inspection port 20.

Latching means is provided for removably latching the cover 44 in close engagement with the base ring 26. In particular, the base ring 26 has at least one key slot, and preferably has four key slots 66 approximately 90 degrees apart on the base inner surface 34. The key slots 66 are each L-shaped with an axial leg 68 of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg 70 of the L extending in a transverse direction. The cover 44 has at least one pin, and preferably has four pins 74 approximately 90 degrees apart on the cover outer surface 54. When the cover 44 is inserted into the base ring 26 in an axial direction, the four pins 74 will engage the four key slots 66. The pins 74 will pass through the axial legs 68. The cover 44 is then rotated, and the pins 74 will enter the transverse legs 70. At this point, the cover 44 cannot be removed axially, and the cover is removably latched to the base ring 26. To remove the cover 44, rotate the cover in the opposite direction and pull it outward.

Turning now to FIG. 19, another inspection port constructed in accordance with the invention is shown at 120, and is for use in connection with a panel 122, having a mounting hole 124 therethrough with a predetermined diameter. The inspection port 120 is similar to inspection port 20 described above, in that it comprises a base ring 126 having a longitudinal axis 127. The base ring 126 has a circular wall 128 extending between first 130 and second 132 ends along the longitudinal axis 127. The circular wall 128 has base inner 134 and base outer 136 surfaces. The base outer surface 136 has a diameter less than the mounting hole 124 predetermined diameter. The base ring 126 has a flange 138 adjacent the second end 132 and extending transversely outward from the base outer surface 136. The base ring 126 has an O-ring groove 140 adjacent the second end 132. The base ring 126 has a plurality of flexible annular ridges 142 extending transversely outward from the base outer surface 136. The annular ridges 142 each have a diameter greater than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, and are adapted for engagement with the mounting hole 124. The inspection port 120 is installed in the same manner as inspection port 20.

A cover 144 has a longitudinal axis 145 and a circular wall 146 extending between first 148 and second 150 ends along the longitudinal axis 145. The circular wall 146 has a cover inner surface 152, and a cover outer surface 154. The cover outer surface 154 is adapted for close sliding engagement with the base inner surface 134. The cover 144 has a plate 156 at the second end 150 extending transversely across the cover 144 and transversely outward beyond the cover outer surface 154 to form a cover flange 158. The cover flange 158 covers the O-ring groove 140 when the cover 144 is inserted into the base ring 126. An O-ring 160 is provided to fit into the O-ring groove 140, and provides sealing means for removably sealing the cover 144 to the base ring 126. The cover plate 156 can be opaque, or transparent so as to allow visual inspection through the inspection port without opening the cover. The cover plate 156 includes at least one finger recess (not shown) for rotating the plate 156. As an alternative, the cover 144 can include a plurality of louvers 162 penetrating the plate 156 so as to provide ventilation through the inspection port 120.

The inspection port 120 differs from inspection port 20 described above, in the manner in which the latching means removably latches the cover 144 in close engagement with the base ring 126. In particular, the cover 144 has at least one key slot, and preferably has four key slots 166 approximately 90 degrees apart on the cover outer surface 154. The key slots 166 are each L-shaped with an axial leg 168 of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg 170 of the L extending in a transverse direction. The base ring 126 has at least one pin, and preferably has four pins 174 approximately 90 degrees apart on the base inner surface 134. When the cover 144 is inserted into the base ring 126 in an axial direction, the four pins 174 will engage the four key slots 166. The pins 174 will pass through the axial legs 168. The cover 144 is then rotated, and the pins 174 will enter the transverse legs 170. At this point, the cover 144 cannot be removed axially, and the cover is removably latched to the base ring 126. To remove the cover 144, rotate the cover in the opposite direction and pull it outward.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications that will come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.

PARTS LIST INSPECTION PORT Part NO. DESCRIPTION 20 inspection port 22 panel 24 mounting hole 26 base ring 27 base ring longitudinal axis 28 base ring circular wall 30 circular wall first end 32 circular wall second end 34 base inner surface 36 base outer surface 38 base ring flange 40 O-ring groove 42 annular ridges 44 cover 45 cover longitudinal axis 46 cover circular wall 48 circular wall first end 50 circular wall second end 52 cover inner surface 54 cover outer surface 56 cover plate 57 finger recess 58 cover flange 60 O-ring 62 louvers 66 key slots 68 key slot axial leg 70 key slot transverse leg 74 pins 120 inspection port 122 panel 124 mounting hole 126 base ring 127 base ring longitudinal axis 128 base ring circular wall 130 circular wall first end 132 circular wall second end 134 base inner surface 136 base outer surface 138 base ring flange 140 O-ring groove 142 annular ridges 144 cover 145 cover longitudinal axis 146 cover circular wall 148 circular wall first end 150 circular wall second end 152 cover inner surface 154 cover outer surface 156 cover plate 157 finger recess 158 cover flange 160 O-ring 162 louvers 166 key slots 168 key slot axial leg 170 key slot transverse leg 174 pins 

1. An inspection port for use in connection with a panel, the panel having a mounting hole therethrough with a predetermined diameter, the inspection port comprising: a base ring having a longitudinal axis, the base ring having a circular wall extending between first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, the circular wall having base inner and base outer surfaces, the base outer surface having a diameter less than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, the base ring having at least one flexible annular ridge extending transversely outward from the base outer surface, the annular ridge having a diameter greater than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, the annular ridge being adapted for engagement with the mounting hole; a cover having a circular wall extending between first and second ends, the circular wall having cover inner and cover outer surfaces, the cover outer surface being adapted for close sliding engagement with the base inner surface, the cover having a plate extending transversely across the circular wall at the second end; latching means for removably latching the cover in close engagement with the base ring; and sealing means for removably sealing the cover to the base ring.
 2. The inspection port of claim 1, wherein the latching means further comprises: the base ring having at least one key slot on the base inner surface; and the cover having at least one pin on the cover outer surface, the pin being adapted to engage the key slot upon insertion of the cover into the base ring and rotation of the cover, so as to removably latch the cover to the base ring.
 3. The inspection port of claim 1, wherein the latching means further comprises: the cover having at least one key slot on the cover outer surface; and the base ring having at least one pin on the base inner surface, the pin being adapted to engage the key slot upon insertion of the cover into the base ring and rotation of the cover, so as to removably latch the cover to the base ring.
 4. The inspection port of claim 1, wherein the sealing means further comprises an O-ring seal between the cover and the base ring.
 5. The inspection port of claim 4, wherein the sealing means further comprises: the base ring having an O-ring groove adjacent the second end; the cover plate extending transversely outward beyond the cover outer surface to form a cover flange adapted to cover the O-ring groove upon insertion of the cover into the base ring; and an O-ring adapted to fit into the O-ring groove, so as to seal the cover to the base ring.
 6. The inspection port of claim 1, wherein: the cover plate is opaque; and the cover plate includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate.
 7. The inspection port of claim 1, wherein: the cover plate is transparent so as to allow visual inspection through the inspection port without opening the cover; and the cover plate includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate.
 8. The inspection port of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of louvers penetrating the plate so as to provide ventilation through the inspection port.
 9. An inspection port for use in connection with a panel, the panel having a mounting hole therethrough with a predetermined diameter, the inspection port comprising: a base ring having a longitudinal axis, the base ring having a circular wall extending between first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, the circular wall having base inner and base outer surfaces, the base outer surface having a diameter less than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, the base ring having an annular flange adjacent the second end and extending transversely outward from the base outer surface, the base ring having a plurality of flexible annular ridges extending transversely outward from the base outer surface, the annular ridges each having a diameter greater than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, the annular ridges being adapted for engagement with the mounting hole; a cover having a longitudinal axis, the cover having a circular wall extending between first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, the circular wall having cover inner and cover outer surfaces, the cover outer surface being adapted for close sliding engagement with the base inner surface, the cover having a plate extending transversely across the circular wall at the second end; latching means for removably latching the cover in close engagement with the base ring; and sealing means for removably sealing the cover to the base ring.
 10. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein the latching means further comprises: the base ring having at least one key slot on the base inner surface, the key slot being L-shaped with an axial leg of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg of the L extending in a transverse direction; and the cover having at least one pin on the cover outer surface, the pin being adapted to engage the key slot upon axial insertion of the cover into the base ring so that the pin will pass through the axial leg, the cover will be rotated, and the pin will enter the transverse leg, whereby the cover cannot be removed axially, so as to removably latch the cover to the base ring.
 11. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein the latching means further comprises: the cover having at least one key slot on the cover outer surface, the key slot being L-shaped with an axial leg of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg of the L extending in a transverse direction; and the base ring having at least one pin on the base inner surface, the pin being adapted to engage the key slot upon axial insertion of the cover into the base ring so that the pin will pass through the axial leg, the cover will be rotated, and the pin will enter the transverse leg, whereby the cover cannot be removed axially, so as to removably latch the cover to the base ring.
 12. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein the sealing means further comprises an O-ring seal between the cover and the base ring.
 13. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein the sealing means further comprises: the base ring having an O-ring groove adjacent the second end; the cover plate extending transversely outward beyond the cover outer surface to form a cover flange adapted to cover the O-ring groove upon insertion of the cover into the base ring; and an O-ring adapted to fit into the O-ring groove, so as to seal the cover to the base ring.
 14. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein: the cover plate is opaque; and the cover plate includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate.
 15. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein: the cover plate is transparent so as to allow visual inspection through the inspection port without opening the cover; and the cover plate includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate.
 16. The inspection port of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of louvers penetrating the plate so as to provide ventilation through the inspection port.
 17. An inspection port for use in connection with a panel, the panel having a mounting hole therethrough with a predetermined diameter, the inspection port comprising: a base ring having a longitudinal axis, the base ring having a circular wall extending between first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, the circular wall having base inner and base outer surfaces, the base outer surface having a diameter less than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, the base ring having an annular flange adjacent the second end and extending transversely outward from the base outer surface, the base ring having an O-ring groove adjacent the second end, the base ring having a plurality of flexible annular ridges extending transversely outward from the base outer surface, the annular ridges each having a diameter greater than the mounting hole predetermined diameter, the annular ridges being adapted for engagement with the mounting hole; a cover having a longitudinal axis, the cover having a circular wall extending between first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, the circular wall having cover inner and cover outer surfaces, the cover outer surface being adapted for close sliding engagement with the base inner surface, the cover having a plate at the second end extending transversely across the cover and transversely outward beyond the cover outer surface to form a cover flange adapted to cover the O-ring groove upon insertion of the cover into the base ring; an O-ring adapted to fit into the O-ring groove, so as to seal the cover to the base ring; and latching means for removably latching the cover in close engagement with the base ring.
 18. The inspection port of claim 17, wherein the latching means further comprises: the base ring having four key slots spaced approximately 90 degrees apart on the base inner surface, the key slots each being L-shaped with an axial leg of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg of the L extending in a transverse direction; and the cover having four pins spaced approximately 90 degrees apart on the cover outer surface, the four pins being adapted to engage the four key slots upon axial insertion of the cover into the base ring so that the pins will pass through the axial legs, the cover will be rotated, and the pins will enter the transverse legs, whereby the cover cannot be removed axially, so as to removably latch the cover to the base ring.
 19. The inspection port of claim 17, wherein the latching means further comprises: the cover having four key slots approximately 90 degrees apart on the cover outer surface, the key slots each being L-shaped with an axial leg of the L extending in an axial direction, and a transverse leg of the L extending in a transverse direction; and the base ring having four pins approximately 90 degrees apart on the base inner surface, the four pins being adapted to engage the four key slots upon axial insertion of the cover into the base ring so that the pins will pass through the axial legs, the cover will be rotated, and the pins will enter the transverse legs, whereby the cover cannot be removed axially, so as to removably latch the cover to the base ring.
 20. The inspection port of claim 17, wherein: the cover plate is opaque; and the cover plate includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate.
 21. The inspection port of claim 17, wherein: the cover plate is transparent so as to allow visual inspection through the inspection port without opening the cover; and the cover plate includes at least one finger recess for rotating the plate.
 22. The inspection port of claim 17, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of louvers penetrating the plate so as to provide ventilation through the inspection port. 